On March 16 and 17, the Carleton University campus buzzed with anticipation as the Centre for Indigenous Support and Community Engagement welcomed approximately 1,500 people for a two-day Children and Youth Powwow in collaboration with the Odawa Native Friendship Centre and various community partners. This ceremony holds profound significance as a spiritual and communal celebration marking the beginning of the season.Benny Michaud, Director of the Centre of Indigenous Support and Community Engagement (CISCE), expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to host the Children and Youth Powwow. “As the largest Indigenous event that Carleton hosts, the CISCE team is honoured to support youth and children in dancing out for the first time with their families present in a safe and welcoming environment,” she said. “This ceremony helps position the university as a place that belongs to them as much as it belongs to anyone else in the area.”The Grand Entry signaled the beginning of the ceremony, as two Elders offered the opening prayer before the circle came alive with the vibrant presence of dancers, flag bearers and youth adorned in intricately beaded regalia. As they entered the circle from the east, guided by the sun's direction, the drumbeat resonated, setting the rhythm for their dance. The songs provided a backdrop for the dancers to shape their movements, each step a reflection of personal and cultural history.Powwows are an opportunity for families to celebrate their nations’ culture and pass on traditions. For children and youth, this Powwow marked a significant milestone as they donned their regalia and danced into the circle for the first time. With their hearts pounding and spirits soaring, they danced before their community, family and friends, embracing their role in carrying forward tradition.Following the Grand Entry, the event emcee extended invitations to all in attendance to join in the dance in what is known as the Intertribal. Surrounding the circle were vendors selling ribbon shirts and skirts, beads, leather, medallions and many other items. .The event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of fostering cultural identity and passing on ceremonial knowledge to future generations, ensuring the spirit of the Powwow will endure for years to come.